Brian Taylor, BBC Scottish political editor – | 12:39 UK time, Friday, 9 July 2010 I was once told that every incoming Scottish Secretary was welcomed by the Treasury with the suggestion that there might be a review of relative spending needs across the United Kingdom. In response, every incoming Scottish Secretary buried said request …
Category Archives: Campaign News
Welsh proposals provide opportunity for fresh thinking on Scottish fiscal devolution
The Campaign For Fiscal Responsibility has welcomed the findings of the Holtham Commission, the independent body set up to consider new ways of funding the Welsh Assembly. ‘This is certainly a move in the right direction and goes a lot further than the proposals put forward by the Calman Commission for Scotland,’ said CFFR spokesman …
Give Scotland greater financial responsibility
Letter to the Editor of the Financial Times – Ben Thomson Sir, David Miles and Gerald Holtham (“Scotland is taking more than its share of funds”, July 6) argue that the Barnett formula used to calculate the Edinburgh government’s block grant gives Scotland “more than its share of funding”. This is to miss the point …
A perfect example of how devolution should operate
Professor James Mitchell – The Herald This week saw the publication of a report that, at first sight, might seem a cure for insomniacs. But the final report of the Independent Commission on Funding and Finance for Wales is important and relevant to Scotland. The commission behind the report was set up by the Labour-Plaid …
The Real Cost of the Calman Proposals
No one can expect to escape the effect of the huge cuts in UK Government spending set in train by last week’s emergency Budget. But in Scotland, if the Calman proposals for financing Scotland’s budget are adopted, the impact is bound to be even more severe. The cuts will certainly result in a significant reduction …
Experts warn Calman will lead to higher spending cuts
Economists predict heavy price to pay if devolution commission recommendations are implemented
Why greater fiscal responsibility will strenghten the Union
The Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) figures released yesterday show that Scotland’s public finances compared well with the UK position, confirming that the Scottish economic cycle is not in sync with the UK. These figures support my view that giving the Scottish Parliament much greater fiscal responsibility is both realistic and desirable. As …
Giving Scotland financial responsibility would mean we could take decisions and move forward
Professor James Mitchell argues that Scotland faces a choice between a return to the politics of grievance or a more responsible form of self-government…
Joan McAlpine: Scotland should take its lead from this corner of Spain
THERE are many reasons to admire the Basque country. Its adventurous fishermen were the first to discover the Grand Banks and gave the world salt cod.
SCDI in call for more control over tax and spending
The Scottish Parliament should be given greater control over tax and spending to help it to promote sustainable economic growth north of the border, according to the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.